Photo : Logo de l'association DepDep
Participatory conference: support groups, a space for sharing and helping each other
Talking about mental health doesn't always have to happen in a clinical setting; sometimes, it just starts with a shared story among peers. Come discover how community support and open dialogue can break the cycle of isolation. This interactive session is the perfect place to learn how to find or offer help in a truly empathetic space.
Agora de la santé (Paris 18th)
About
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Agora de la santé in Paris' 18th arrondissement hosts a participatory conference focused on peer-support groups and mental health. This free event, open to those aged 18 and over, examines how these dialogue spaces provide essential support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Featuring experts from organizations like DepDep, La Maison Perchée, Dépressifs Anonymes, and À Petits Pas, the session explores the benefits and practicalities of mutual aid. No registration is required to attend this session, which aims to demystify these spaces as a valuable complement to clinical care for anyone interested in community mental health support.
Support groups offer spaces for listening, sharing experiences, and providing mutual aid between people affected by mental health issues. During this participatory conference, several stakeholders will present their practices and discuss the framework of these spaces: confidentiality, listening, facilitation, benefits, limitations, and challenges. People with lived experience and peer support workers will also share their testimonies.
Several actors will come to present their experiences and practices. DepDep, an association on depression by and for affected people, offers support groups, workshops, outings, and a mutual aid community. La Maison Perchée is a non-medicalized peer support association specializing in accompanying young adults living with a psychological disorder. Dépressifs Anonymes offers a space for mutual aid among depressed people, based on sharing experiences, strength, and hope, following the Alcoholics Anonymous method. Nadia M., a facilitator at a Mutual Aid Group, will also present her experience with peer support in situations of psychological vulnerability, particularly to foster social ties and inclusion in the city. Finally, À Petits Pas, an association dedicated to social anxiety, will share its experience and actions to help overcome isolation and difficulties, particularly through workshops and support groups.
This meeting will provide a better understanding of what support groups and peer aid can bring to address isolation and psychological distress, complementing care without replacing it. It is aimed at people directly affected by mental health issues, loved ones, volunteers, professionals, and anyone wishing to discover these spaces for exchange and mutual aid.
Free without registration
Tuesday, October 13 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Paris Santé Boucry - Agora de la Santé (4, rue boucry, Paris 18e).
For any further information, you can contact Anaëlle Couillet at the following address: anaelle.couillet@paris.fr.
THE EXPRESSIVE FORCE OF THE BODY ; Credits : SISM 2026Our take on this event
Running from 18:00 to 20:00, the conference serves as a platform to discuss the structure and impact of peer-led support groups. Participants will explore the principles of confidentiality, active listening, and facilitation. The event will feature personal accounts from peer supporters and insights from professionals, highlighting how these groups can mitigate isolation and foster social inclusion.
The discussion will include contributions from various associations, such as DepDep, which focuses on depression, and La Maison Perchée, dedicated to supporting young adults with mental health issues. Representatives from Dépressifs Anonymes and À Petits Pas will share their methodologies for overcoming social anxiety and managing psychological distress. Additionally, Nadia M., a facilitator from a Mutual Aid Group, will address the role of community support in vulnerable situations.
This session is designed for individuals directly affected by mental health issues, their families, volunteers, and health professionals. It emphasizes that these support groups are intended to complement medical treatment rather than replace it. The event takes place at 4 rue Boucry, 75018 Paris. Admission is free, and there is no need to sign up in advance.
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